soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Jewish Childrearing Related Questions (12/12)Section - Question 21.2.2: Naming: But my grandmother was named (insert old- fashioned out of use name here)? No one uses that name today? How do

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soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Jewish Childrearing Related Questions (12/12)Section - Question 21.2.2: Naming: But my grandmother was named (insert old- fashioned out of use name here)? No one uses that name today? How do

I name after that relative?
Answer:
There are a number of different approachs. Some take the first letter
of the relatives name, and choose a different name beginning with the
same letter. Unfortunately, this loses the original meaning of the
name. Others choose an arbitrary English name, but retain the
relative's Hebrew name. Kolach recommends choosing an English name
with the name meaning as the Hebrew name. Consider the English name of
Mildred. Mildred is either from the Latin, meaning "Sweet Singer", or
from the Teutonic, meaning "Strength". It has Hebrew equivalents of
Amtzaw, Gavreelaw, N'eemaw, Neevaw, Reenaw, Sheeraw, and T'heelaw.
Thus, less-dated English equivalents might be Shira (Song), Valerie
(Strong), Gabrielle (G-d is my Strength), Renana (Joy or Song), or
Carol (Melody or Song).
One source asked this question of Rav Avigdor Neventzhal, the Rav of
the Old City of Jerusalem. Rav Neventzhal said that while there is no
requirement to name after somone, if there is a desire to attach the
deceased relatives characteristics to the newborn and/or to tie one
soul to the other (according to Kabalah) then the name must not be
altered. According to this Rav, taking the first letter of name A and
creating name B, thus, does not constitute naming after someone, and
combining names from different people also does not result in "naming
after" someone. So, the answer for those that consider Rav Neventzhal
authoritative is that you can't change the name.
As usual: two Jews, multiple opinions.

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